UH OH OBAMA: Key Democrat Comes Out Against Iran Deal

President Obama’s effort to avoid using a veto and stopping a congressional challenge took another blow the other day when Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland stated his opposition to the deal, further stating it “legitimizes Iran’s nuclear program.”

With Cardin’s announcement, that goal remains in reach, but it will be tougher to attain.

“This is a close call, but after a lengthy review, I will vote to disapprove the deal,” Cardin wrote in an opinion piece in The Washington Post.

“After 10 to 15 years, it would leave Iran with the option to produce enough enriched fuel for a nuclear weapon in a short time.”

Cardin made his announcement as Obama met at the White House with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, in part to offer assurances that the deal signed by the U.S., Iran, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia comes with the necessary resources to help check Iran’s regional ambitions. Saudi officials have cautiously supported the deal but are worried about enforcement and whether an Iranian government flush with cash after sanctions are lifted will wreak havoc throughout the Middle East.

Before the meeting began, Obama told reporters in the Oval Office that the leaders would discuss “implementing the deal to ensure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, while counteracting its destabilizing activities in the region.”

The Senator’s move doesn’t derail the deal, just forces Obama’s White House to seek another strategy. That strategy is turning out to consist of shoring up enough senate votes to ensure a veto would be upheld.

While it’s still uncertain whether he has the votes, the coming months should be interesting.

What do you think? Is the democratic senator’s effort enough? Leave a comment with your thoughts below.